IMPACTS ON HOUSING STABILITY

In 2014, New York City (NYC) adopted its first Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) program, which promises to offer publicly funded pre-kindergarten to all New Yorkers. The Capstone team investigated the impact of NYC’s UPK on housing stability. Studies have highlighted UPK's positive effects on maternal labor force participation and child educational outcomes, but its influence on housing stability remains unexplored. The team hypothesized that UPK, in reducing household childcare costs, would positively affect housing stability for families with young children. Using Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) from the US Census’ American Community Survey, the team conducted a difference-in-difference study, comparing residential mobility rates among households with young children in NYC and in cities without UPK policies pre- and post-UPK implementation. Initial results show a small, statistically significant positive effect on residential mobility. The analysis aims to provide insights into UPK's broader societal impacts, informing policymakers about its potential role in supporting family financial stability and upward mobility